The Sicatoka

From today's Fargo Forum: Forum Caption: North Dakota State University football players, from left, Lucas Albers, Demitrius Gray, Charles Smith III, Josh Colville, Aireal Boyd, Antonio Rogers, Marcus Williams, Bryan Shepherd, Sam Ojuri and Brendin Pierre leave the Cass County Courthouse on Tuesday in Fargo. The 10 players pleaded guilty to misdemeanor election fraud and were sentenced to community service for faking signatures on proposed ballot measure petitions that they were hired to collect.

NDSU Football: Voter Fraud? Meh, ... we normally deal with infractions involving alcohol, drugs, violence or sex.* NDSU Football: Not smart enough or grown-up enough or sophisticated enough to understand.** *Courtesy Fargo Forum NDSU beat writer Kevin Schnepf **Courtesy Judge Douglas Herman

I've said more than once that we're all just a lawn mower toss away from the next problem.

Are you saying this is something they've signed onto for a while? Call it a signature moment for their program?

... only to rear its head when the Legislature starts back in session. Why? - the move to tougher the voter fraud laws from A misdemeanors to C felonies - the move to re-write and clarify the laws about how signature gatherers can be paid - and "Carlson's Cadre" will surely use this in their quest to undermine the powers of the ND SBoHE Book it. Bank it.

For the record, let's get the quote as listed in the newspaper: “I don’t think they were smart enough or grown up enough or sophisticated enough to understand” -- Judge Douglas Herman describing NDSU Bison football players. Accuracy and all, you know. http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/376186/

I guess I can't disagree with your assessment. Watching that link I see another epic VMeister/Answer Guy film production in the future.

I'm not an attorney, but under the present law I think Terra is in the safe part of the grey area. They can claim they didn't pay "per signature" (illegal) but merely incentivised their system for high performers. I think that question of law (namely, is Terra's system legal) will be clarified in the coming Legislature. And I think voter fraud such as this will probably end up as C felony instead of today's A misdemeanor. But like I've said, Terra may, may, have made an illegal offer, but the footballers didn't have to take it and end up in this mess. What'd NDSU's footballers do? I'll use the judge's words: not smart, not grown up, not sophisticated.

You mean the thread not in the Bisonville football forum, or the thread not in the Bisonville Bison commons forum? Which one of those two that are both on the main board at Bisonville would not be on the main board at Bisonville?

These folks have all just pled guilty to a class A misdemeanor. Doesn't that open themselves up to a civil case from the groups that lost money due to the (now admittedly) illegal activities? There are a couple groups out six-figures of dollars. Won't they come after these guys and didn't these guys just make it very easy for those groups to win a civil judgment?

From NDSU's statement: Notice the emphasis of the win, ... "over FBS-level" ..., interesting that Dr. Bresciani felt the need to include that adjective with Colorado State. It tends to tell me what priority (football) is still deeply rooted in this education-based decision process.

I predict their last name will start with "H".

Now this post from you I agree with. This will come back and not be good for any NDUS school come the next Legislative session. "Carlson's Cadre" is just waiting to use this as more proof why the ND SBoHE needs to be weakened and the power taken back into the Legislature. They thought they had a winner with the moniker issue; this has to have them just giddy.

359.5 days and counting until it self-resurrects.

New NDSU team bus?

Wait a minute. Aren't most of these guys at least 18 if not 21? By legal definition, they are adults. But these folks aren't part of the "adult public"? Pardon me Your Honor, but, what the ... NDSU football: - not smart - not grown up - not sophisticated

Most of that makes sense to me, but would one of the forum's lawyerly types please explain the "deferred imposition of sentence" statement?

Yup, I said that from the beginning.

They didn't know that fraud and signing someone else's name is not only wrong but illegal? If they'll do that on legal documents (like petitions and affidavits) it makes you wonder where else those college students may have done it.

I can make you a business offer, like an offer of employment, that includes a legal and an illegal option. You have three choices: - do the legal thing - do the illegal thing - not do business with me at all

Facing high-powered, multi-faceted offenses every week?

To me the fake punt call was admitting that you didn't think your defense would get you the ball back with about 8 minutes. I didn't like the call. In that case I think having Cameron pin them deep would've been better.

The way some are acting the season is over and the NCAA should mail the championship banner to ... naw, too easy.

Thoughts: 1. UND fell into the trap when they took the lead: they thought the game was over. The defense fell asleep and 65 yards later, ...the game was over. The momentum and energy was gone. 2. Hardin historically is hot and cold, and last night he was cold. The rule should be: after Hardin drops three start targetting McGill. 3. I think teams have figured out how to defend Hendrickson. His passing is, well, back to just a bit better than it was against Montana in 2010. 4. The recruiting focus the last couple of years has been to put together a "Big Sky" offense. It's time to refocus on the defensive recruiting. 5. You can't have four turnovers and expect to win. 6. The offensive line needs to start being positively consistent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Nc8RCLy1s